January 09, 2007

Illmatic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If your Ipod or Zune's (check out my previous rant on Microsoft's illustrious new Ipod slayer here) content is getting a bit stale lately, I want to direct your attention to one of the great albums of all time: 'Illmatic' by Queensbridge rapper Nas.

It's one of the few albums in existence of any genre where every track is strong and contributes to the overall effect the album strives to create. If I try to describe that effect, I'd call it the trials and tribulations of a young man who grew up and triumphed over grueling urban circumstances to experience total self-expression through a mic and a beat. Also, at 10 tracks and a total running time of about 40 minutes, 'Illmatic' is wise enough to leave you wanting more.

An incredible work of art from a man who was only 19 at the time of its release: I can't recommend it highly enough. My favorite lines from the album are from track 10, 'It Ain't Hard to Tell':

Deep like The Shinin', sparkle like a diamondSneak a uzi on the island in my army jacket lininHit the Earth like a comet, invasionNas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazinCause in my physical, I can express through songDelete stress like Motrin, then extend strong